History of the World Series of Poker Part 3: The WSOP Today

Continuing with PokerNews' editorial geared towards the 2013 World Series of Poker, we're bringing you Part 3 of the History of the WSOP: The WSOP Today. In Part 1, we looked at How It All Began. Then in Part 2, we looked at the Growth and Acquisition by Harrah's.

The WSOP as it is today is poker's largest spectacle. It's what everyone in the poker world, whether it be fans or players, look forward to each and every year. Some would say it's like Christmas, while others would describe the two months in the Rio as summer camp. Either way, no one would ever argue that the WSOP is poker's Super Bowl.

Since 2004, when the WSOP first crossed over into five figures for the total amount of entrants throughout the entire series, this number has increased every year up until 2012, when things saw a slight decline. Despite the drop back in numbers, though, the WSOP still attracted over 74,000 total entrants. In fact, the WSOP has attracted nearly 575,000 entrants throughout its entirety.

What's more, is that despite a slight drop back from 2008 to 2009, the total prize money awarded each year has increased from 2004 to 2012. Last year, a whopping $222,035,192 was given out, which was an all-time high and the first time the $200,000,000 mark was eclipsed.

As we talked about in Part 2, much of what the WSOP is today was a result of Chris Moneymaker's big win in 2003. In the years to follow, amateurs began taking more and more shots at ultimate poker glory while young kids began dropping out of college to chase down a dream. Nowadays, poker rooms are cluttered with young kids wearing hooded sweatshirts and poker tournaments are filled with amateurs taking a shot.

The thing about poker is this: Anyone with money can play. That's exactly what you see year in and year out at the WSOP.

In the recent years of the WSOP, dating back to 2007, gold bracelets have been given out on more than just one continent. The WSOP has expanded its brand to Europe and the Asia-Pacific. The WSOP has also given out a gold bracelet in the past two WSOP Circuit National Championship events, further increasing the value and attraction of the Circuit.

Not only has the WSOP grown to other areas of the world, but it's also grown within. Last year, the massive $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop debuted and attracted 48 players. The 2012 WSOP Europe and inaugural 2013 WSOP Asia-Pacific both held Super High Roller events, and this year's WSOP with host of $111,111 One Drop High Roller event. Back in the early 2000s when Moneymaker won, the $10,000 Main Event was the biggest and baddest there way, but it's a new market today and the WSOP recognizes that. With that recognition, they continue to grow. In 2013, the most gold bracelets will be held around the world with 75.

The growth is great for the game, and it doesn't seem like it's going to be slowed down by anything. Even something as catastrophic as Black Friday only saw the overall number of entrants for the WSOP that year rise and things have been holding steady since. With more events on the schedule this year and younger players still keeping the love of the game running strong, the growth of the WSOP doesn't look like it will end.

Furthermore, more and more women are getting into the game, which is absolutely great to see. The WSOP of the older days was highly dominated by males, but women can be found plentiful throughout the tables of the WSOP all summer long.

What we're trying to say is this: Today, the WSOP is more than just a male-dominated game for road-warrior gamblers from the old school. The growth is apparent, and the WSOP has done a good job of recognizing this growth and running with it. The old crowd is still around for the most part and doing well, while the younger crowd is making a name for themselves more and more each year. Then you've got the women who are showing that this is much more than just a man's game after all.

For all the latest up-to-the-minute news from around the poker world, Follow us on Twitter and find us both Facebook and Google+!

Quick Room Review

About PokerNews

PokerNews.com is the world's leading poker website. Among other things, visitors will find a daily dose of articles with the latest poker news, live reporting from tournaments, exclusive videos, podcasts and so much more.

Online Poker Room Spotlight: PokerStars

At PokerStars, players can not only play with the pros, but take part in a variety of different poker games and variations, like Texas hold'em. New players can brush up on the poker rules and learn poker strategy from the pros. Sign up for a PokerStars account today.